Food & Drink

Best Corn Dishes In Philadelphia

With summer right around the corner, the next few months will provide the perfect opportunity to taste-test vegetables, like corn, at their freshest. Bright yellow corn on the cobs is a staple at picnics and cookouts, but there’s a wide variety of ways to serve it, whether it’s used a base for soup, in cornbread or to make fritters. Check out the delicious and innovative corn dishes these restaurants are serving up in Philadelphia.

Think all cornbread is made the same? Think again. Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse uses real corn in its side dish, which is moist and sweet and goes great with Sweet Lucy’s spicy collard greens. While prices can get a bit steep here, if you eat in moderation, it’s worth the expense. A piece of cornbread is about a $1, but if you want a dozen, be prepared to spend $9 for it. With tender ribs that fall off the bone, barbecue pulled chicken or pork, you can definitely get your money’s worth in deliciousness. Don’t worry about not being invited to your neighbor’s barbecue; head over to Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse to see what it is smoking up next.

There’s nothing like having corn first thing in the morning, and El Vez’s brunch menu brings you just that. Its crab and corn omelet is filled with lump crab, poblanos and Chihuahua cheese, topped with chipotle pico de gallo and served with crispy yucca. The corn fiesta continues with grilled corn on the cob with lime chipotle and queso fresco and a Mexican chopped salad. This restaurant is moderately priced and is definitely worth a try.

It doesn’t have to be wintertime to enjoy Asia on the Parkway’s Oriental Chicken Corn Soup. It’s filled with minced white chicken and sweet corn in a thick, rich, egg-flour broth. If you want to add a little extra spice to it, be sure to mix in some hot sauce. Soup is priced at $3.50 for a single serving or $6 for two.

Corn croquettes anyone? When you check out Max Brenner’s menu, be sure to look under the section that reads “Things to Dip,” and you’ll find Molly’s white corn croquettes. These corn and manchego cheese balls are covered in panko bread crumbs and fried to a beautiful light golden brown. It’s $11.95 to share this tasty delight or $6.95 to have it all to yourself.

What do you get when you combine tofu and corn? Tofu corn fritters! This contemporary Asian restaurant created this interesting appetizer, and patrons who have tried it are giving it rave reviews. The tofu corn fritters are made with gouda cheese and mixed in Circles Contemporary Asian Cuisine’s own house batter before being lightly fried. The fritters are also served with a side of citrus aioli and warm tomato compote. It’ll cost you $7.50 to try this starter course.

Stephen Starr’s Midtown Village Mexican venture El Vez is perhaps best known for innovative tacos, guacamole and mojitos. But the grilled corn on the cob also has quite the following. Frequently offered at Philly street festivals and also found on the dinner menu as a side for $4.50, this corn is grilled to perfection and then rolled in a lime chipotle sauce and topped with queso fresco. For something a little heartier, try the roasted corn soup for $9 with a seared scallops, tomatillo and a jalapeno marmalade.

Located in historic Headhouse Square, The Twisted Tail offers Southern-inspired food with a twist. The restaurant’s new executive chef, Leo Forneas, has made a few changes to the menu – most notably adding a highlighted section of charcoal grill items. The grilled corn on the cob is a favorite at $5, served with a sweet and spicy red jalapeno marmalade and a bit of lime. For additional corn dishes, try a side of skillet cornbread ($5) that’s served right in the miniature skillet. Or, order the grilled Cornish hen ($19) that is served with a creamy corn succotash with fava beans and bacon topped with mushrooms. Known just as much for the great music and drinks, no visit to The Twisted Tail would be complete without trying something from the extensive bourbon and whiskey list or one of the many specialty cocktails. The Kool Kat, prepared with pear vodka, muddled cucumber and lime, is the perfect refreshing summer drink.

R2l is going all out to celebrate summer’s best produce. During the Summer Harvest Series, the contemporary American restaurant offers a special menu each Tuesday, focusing on one main ingredient each week, with a grand finale on August 27. Corn is the focus for dinner on Tuesday, August 20. This four-course meal ($45 per person) will begin with a creative summer corn soup made with popcorn, crab and herb frozen yogurt. The second course is short ribs over a blue corn puree with polenta-stuffed onions. The third course is corn jam toasts and the meal ends with a delicious sweet corn ice cream. For an additional $25 per person, you can enjoy a wine pairing with each course.

Sweet Lucy’s is a BYOB known for its wood-smoked barbecue with a distinct, authentic flavor. The pulled pork, smoked turkey and beef brisket are the main stars, but everyone knows true barbecue isn’t complete without classic sides likes baked beans, spicy collard greens and cornbread. Sweet Lucy’s homemade cornbread is slightly sweet and moist with real corn mixed in the batter. Order a side for 89 cents each or a dozen for $9. Visit on a Monday night between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for the all-you-can-eat buffet. Adults are $19.95, children ages five to 10 are half price and children under five are free.

Known for its award-winning steak, magnificent wine tour and comforting sides such as lobster macaroni and cheese, Del Frisco’s can seem a bit more like a cold-weather destination. That’s where warm-weather sides such as the Maque Choux Corn come into play. This Southern-style take on succotash includes corn, tomatoes, green peppers, celery, onion and garlic. The mixture is braised with butter until tender, seasoned and served as a sharable dish for $10. This light side is a wonderful complement to both steak and seafood entrees.

Clarice Williams is a freelance writer covering all things Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

Michelle Hein is a copy editor for a women’s fashion company in Bucks County by day and a self-proclaimed food and drink fanatic by night and weekend. She enjoys attending wine classes, trying new recipes in the kitchen and going to old favorites and new restaurants alike in the Bucks County and Philadelphia area. If the writing gig doesn’t pan out, she constantly dreams of owning her own bakery…perhaps connected to the restaurant/bar that her lawyer boyfriend would love to open. Examiner.com.